2AM ET 07/17/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: Detailed Summary

Episode: 2AM ET 07/17/2025 Newscast
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Host/Author: Fox News Radio

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1. Jeffrey Epstein Investigation and Political Implications

Timestamp: [00:02 - 01:04]

The newscast opens with Sue Guzman addressing the ongoing debate surrounding the release of Jeffrey Epstein's files. President Donald Trump has characterized the focus on Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation as a "hoax," asserting that Republicans are being "duped by the Democrats" into following a Democrat playbook (00:15).

Jarrett Halpert elaborates, stating, "Republican lawmakers and conservative influencers focusing on the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation are doing the work of Democrats" (00:15). Kristen Goodwin reinforces this viewpoint, highlighting that "Republicans got duped by the Democrats and they're following a Democrat playbook for days" (00:26).

President Trump has defended Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of the Epstein case, emphasizing her commitment to providing "all the credible information" and her willingness to disclose any additional evidence if found (00:36). Despite these defenses, the Justice Department reports there is no evidence that Epstein maintained a client list at the White House (00:50).

2. Firing of Maureen Comey

Timestamp: [00:58 - 01:43]

Sue Guzman reports on the dismissal of Maureen Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, from her position as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York (00:58). Ashley Strohmeier provides details, noting that Maureen Comey was recently involved in high-profile cases, including the prosecution of Sean "Diddy" Combs for a prostitution-related charge and her work on the criminal case against Jeffrey Epstein (01:04). This firing adds to the mounting pressure on the Trump administration regarding the Epstein investigation (01:04).

3. Senate's Vote on Foreign Aid and Public Broadcasting

Timestamp: [01:43 - 01:59]

The Senate is preparing to vote on a significant bill that aims to cancel approximately $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting subsidies. Known as the "voterama," this legislative effort has been underway since Wednesday afternoon and is expected to move to the House for approval shortly (01:43). This development is part of the broader political discourse covered in the newscast.

4. House Hearing on NGOs' Role at the Border

Timestamp: [03:08 - 03:53]

Sue Guzman transitions to report on a House hearing held on Wednesday concerning the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at the U.S. border during President Joe Biden's administration (03:08). An unnamed Republican lawmaker accused NGOs of "aiding and abetting the so-called Biden border crisis," alleging that these organizations have financially benefited while contributing to child trafficking issues (03:17). Conversely, Democrats defend these NGOs, asserting that Republicans are attempting to undermine civil society efforts. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) was specifically mentioned, with the organization responding by stating, "We will not be intimidated for standing with immigrant communities and documenting the inhumane manner that our community is being targeted" (03:53).

5. President Trump's Criticism of Senator Adam Schiff

Timestamp: [03:53 - 05:03]

In a pointed critique, President Trump took to social media to attack Senator Adam Schiff, a long-time political opponent from California. Trump alleges that Schiff engaged in mortgage fraud, stating, "Adam Schiff said that his primary residence was in Maryland to get a cheaper mortgage and rip off America" (03:53). This claim suggests that Schiff falsely declared his residency to benefit from lower mortgage rates.

Christen Goodwin echoes Trump's sentiment, labeling Schiff as "a serious low life" and questioning the validity of the mortgage fraud charges (04:24).

Senator Schiff responded by denouncing the allegations as "baseless" and an attempt at "political retribution." He emphasized his commitment to holding Trump accountable, stating, "This baseless attempt at political retribution won't stop me from holding him accountable, not by a long shot" (04:31).

Additionally, Schiff accuses Trump of using the Epstein files as a distraction from these allegations, reinforcing the ongoing tension between the two figures (04:45).

6. Coca-Cola's Shift to Real Cane Sugar

Timestamp: [04:45 - 05:03]

In a surprising move, President Trump announced that Coca-Cola has agreed to switch to using real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the United States. According to Trump, this change aligns Coca-Cola's U.S. product with practices in other countries, including Mexico, which predominantly use cane sugar over high fructose corn syrup (04:45). This decision is presented as a direct result of Trump's influence, showcasing his impact on major consumer brands.

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Note on Advertisements

Two promotional segments for NetSuite by Oracle were included in the transcript. As per the summary guidelines, advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been excluded to maintain focus on the news content.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and viewpoints presented in the Fox News Hourly Update aired on July 17, 2025. From high-stakes political strategies surrounding the Epstein investigation to significant legislative actions and personal attacks between prominent political figures, the episode provides a multifaceted look at current events shaping the national landscape.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

Still facing calls to release the Epstein files. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. President Trump says Republicans are being duped by a Jeffrey Epstein hoax. We have more from fox's Jarrett Halpert.

[Jarrett Halpert]

Republican lawmakers and conservative influencers focusing on the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation are doing the work of Democrats. President Trump says he's dead, he's gone.

[Kristen Goodwin]

And all it is is the Republicans certain. Republicans got dup by the Democrats and they're following a Democrat playbook for days.

[Jarrett Halpert]

President Trump has come to the defense of Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the case.

[Kristen Goodwin]

She says I gave you all the credible information and if she finds any more credible information, she'll give that to. What more can she do than that?

[Jarrett Halpert]

The Justice Department says investigators found no evidence of a client list kept by Epstein at the White House. Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

The daughter of former FBI Director James Comey's been fired from her job as a federal prosecutor.

[Ashley Strohmeier]

A Justice Department official confirms to Fox News. Maureen Comey was fired from her job in the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York. She is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, who President Trump fired during his first term after Comey initiated the Russia investigation. Maureen Comey recently helped prosecute Sean Diddy Combs, who was convicted of a prostitution related charge but acquitted of more serious charges. She was also involved in the criminal case against sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a topic that's plagued the Trump administration in recent weeks amid ongoing pressure to release further information related to Epstein. Kristen Goodwin, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

Senate is teeing up a vote on a bill that would cancel about $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting subsidies in the next few hours. The so called voterama has been going on since Wednesday afternoon. Asked in the Senate would go to the House for approval. America's listening to FOX News.

[Jackie Heinrich]

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[Sue Guzman]

The house held a hearing Wednesday about the role non governmental organizations played at the border during former President Joe Biden's term. Fox's Ashley Strohmeier reports.

[Unnamed Republican Lawmaker]

Republican lawmakers accused NGOs of essentially aiding and abetting the so called Biden border crisis, which they claim padded their pockets and led to thousands of children being trafficked. And Democrats say Republicans are just trying to advance. One of the NGOs contacted by the House committee is the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, or Chirla, which recently defended their organization's work after also being accused of bankrolling civil unrest in Los Angeles, writing, we will not be intimidated for standing with immigrant communities and documenting the inhumane manner that our community is being targeted.

[Sue Guzman]

President Trump once again taking to social media to criticize a longtime rival, Senator Adam Schiff. California Democrats been referred to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution related to mortgage documents. Fox's Jackie Heinrich @ the White House.

[Adam Schiff]

President Trump posting this to Truth Social quote, adam Schiff said that his primary residence was in Maryland to get a cheaper mortgage and rip off America when he must live in California because he was a congressman from California. Mortgage fraud is very serious and crooked. Adam Schiff, now a senator, needs to be brought to justice.

[Kristen Goodwin]

I don't know about the individual charge, if that even happens, but Adam Schiff is a serious low life.

[Adam Schiff]

Schiff for responding with this quote, since I led his first impeachment, Trump has repeatedly called for me to be arrested for treason. So in a way I guess this is a bit of a letdown. And this baseless attempt at political retribution won't stop me from holding him accountable, not by a long shot.

[Sue Guzman]

Schiff calls the allegations an attempt to distract from the Epstein files. And President Trump says Coca Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the US at his suggestion, switch from high fructose corn syrup would Coke in line with the practice in other countries, including Mexico.

[Jackie Heinrich]

Sue Guzman this is it's an interesting time for business. Tariff and trade policies are dynamic, supply chains are squeezed and cash flow tighter than ever. If your business can't adapt in real time, you're in a world of hurt. You need total visibility, from global shipments to tariff impacts to real time cash flow. That's NetSuite by Oracle, your AI powered business management suite. Trusted by over 42,000 businesses, NetSuite is the number one cloud ERP for many reasons. It brings accounting, financial management, inventory, HR into one suite. You have one source of truth, giving you the visibility and control you need to make quick decisions. With real time forecasting, you're peering into the future with actionable data. And with AI embedded throughout, you can automate a lot of those everyday tasks, letting your team stay strategic. Netsuite helps you know what's stuck, what it's costing you, and how to pivot fast. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, download the free ebook Navigating Global 3 Insights for Leaders at netsuite.com fox that's netsuite.com fox.